About Fred Hain

Today, an estimated 26 percent of the region's hemlock stands are at high risk. As winters get warmer, the decline will increase, with 43 percent of stands expected to be at high risk. Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2017-03-team-decline-hemlock-winters.html#jCp

By Fred Hain|
2017-04-07T15:41:53+00:00 April 7th, 2017|News|Comments Off on Team predicts increasing decline of hemlock as winters warm

Eastern and Carolina hemlock trees in more than 400 counties across 19 states are dead, dying, or threatened by infestation of the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid. As the aphid-like pest continues to spread throughout the ranges of these economically and ecologically important trees, scientists, managers, and other specialists from North Carolina State University’s (NCSU) Camcoreprogram are [...]

By Fred Hain|
2017-03-23T17:51:00+00:00 March 23rd, 2017|News|Comments Off on Hemlock Seed Banking

Sap-sucking insects called hemlock woolly adelgids are draining the life from a common evergreen tree in the eastern United States. Since arriving from Japan in the 1950s, the tiny bugs have spread from Georgia to Maine—about half of the Eastern hemlock’s range. Once the bugs become well-established, the consequences can be grave. Areas with severe [...]

The fight to protect East Tennessee's forests — and cities — from an invasive species continues expanding. The emerald ash borer has been found in 47 of the state's 95 counties, while 40 counties are know to be infested with the Hemlock woolly adelgid. Read more: http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2017/jan/25/tennessee-forests-challenged-emerald-ash-bore/409355/

By Fred Hain|
2017-02-06T15:55:41+00:00 February 6th, 2017|News|Comments Off on Invasive species pose risk to Tennessee homeowners and forests

At the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville, N.C., postdoctoral researcher Ben Smith patiently tends thousands of evergreen seedlings. His goal: to find at least a few that will tolerate two tiny but troublesome pests. Read more: https://cals.ncsu.edu/news/far-from-being-futile-resistance-is-this-tree-breeders-goal/

By Fred Hain|
2017-01-01T17:12:16+00:00 January 1st, 2017|News|Comments Off on Ben Smith Featured in CALS Newsletter

The White House wants researchers to focus on curbing the impact invasive plants, animals and insects have on the U.S. environment and economy. With just a few weeks until his term ends, President Barack Obama signed an executive order committing to prevent the “economic, plant, animal, ecological and human health impacts that invasive species cause.” For instance, a [...]

By Fred Hain|
2017-01-01T17:02:49+00:00 January 1st, 2017|News|Comments Off on White House wants researchers to focus on curbing invasives

Hemlock woolly adelgids aren't native to North America, but droves of them have settled into American forests where they threaten entire ecosystems. Read more: http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2016/1209/Climate-change-strengthens-an-army-of-forest-eating-insects

By Fred Hain|
2016-12-19T16:30:22+00:00 December 19th, 2016|News|Comments Off on Climate change strengthens an army of forest-eating insects

The title says it all: "Elevated light levels reduce hemlock woolly adelgid infestation and improve carbon balance of infested eastern hemlock seedlings." The full story authored by S.T. Brantley and colleagus is published in Forest Ecology and Management, volume 385, pages 150-160.

Studies have shown that once healthy hemlocks become infested by HWA, nutrients are depleted from the tree, leading to both tree decline and a reduction of the adelgid population. Since HWA is dependent on hemlock for nutrients, feeding on trees in poor health may affect the ability of the insect to obtain necessary nutrients and may [...]

By Fred Hain|
2016-11-30T14:52:27+00:00 November 30th, 2016|News|Comments Off on Fitness and physiology of HWA in relation to the health of host tree